The Hogster wrote:Chris Mortenson reports that he spoke to Dr. Andrews who told him RGIII would have reconstructive surgery on the ACL & LCL and it would be a 6-8 month period before he can resume playing.

Per Twitter @mortreport

Redskins QB Robert Griffin III will undergo total reconstruction of knee for complete tear of ACL and LCL. Recovery projection: 6-8 mos.

Dr. James Andrews will perform surgery in about 6 hours. Diagnosis already made that ACL graft of @RGIII's 2009 surgery is complete tear

This is promising news on many fronts. First, RGIII will know now that his knee is structurally sound after completely fixing all of the affected ligaments right away and allowing them to heal.

When a graft is used, I have read that it makes the joint essentially stronger than normal.

Second, the rehab per the Dr. would not require that he miss the 2013 regular season. Someone with the work ethic and athleticism of RGIII will likely return better than ever.

Thank you for posting this. Its a relief to hold onto (unless something changes of course). Great to know they're being thorough and doing it right...this seems to be the best option for him.

Yeah. A doctor on ESPN980 said that it's usually better for athletes to have a complete tear requiring surgery, than a partial tear without it. Said that when a ligament is partially torn, and allowed to heal without surgery. that over 70% of the patients experience chronic issues with inflammation, pain & swelling. Surgical repair of the ligament basically makes the ligaments new again.

It will be up to RGIII's rehabilitation how quickly he regains his strength and explosiveness.

The Hogster wrote:Chris Mortenson reports that he spoke to Dr. Andrews who told him RGIII would have reconstructive surgery on the ACL & LCL and it would be a 6-8 month period before he can resume playing.

Per Twitter @mortreport

Redskins QB Robert Griffin III will undergo total reconstruction of knee for complete tear of ACL and LCL. Recovery projection: 6-8 mos.

Dr. James Andrews will perform surgery in about 6 hours. Diagnosis already made that ACL graft of @RGIII's 2009 surgery is complete tear

This is promising news on many fronts. First, RGIII will know now that his knee is structurally sound after completely fixing all of the affected ligaments right away and allowing them to heal.

When a graft is used, I have read that it makes the joint essentially stronger than normal.

Second, the rehab per the Dr. would not require that he miss the 2013 regular season. Someone with the work ethic and athleticism of RGIII will likely return better than ever.

Thank you for posting this. Its a relief to hold onto (unless something changes of course). Great to know they're being thorough and doing it right...this seems to be the best option for him.

Yeah. A doctor on ESPN980 said that it's usually better for athletes to have a complete tear requiring surgery, than a partial tear without it. Said that when a ligament is partially torn, and allowed to heal without surgery. that over 70% of the patients experience chronic issues with inflammation, pain & swelling. Surgical repair of the ligament basically makes the ligaments new again.

It will be up to RGIII's rehabilitation how quickly he regains his strength and explosiveness.

You know they'll be getting him the absolute best rehabilitation specialists out there. I think he'll bounce back quickly. I don't know much about knee surgery but still hope they don't put him in practice prematurely.

If I were Shanahan I'd listen only to the doctors at this point until they confirm he's healed enough to get back out there.

That's a load of manure, or another miscommunication. Listening to another Surgeon today explaining that if it is only an LCL reconstruction, his recovery could be 4-6 months ... if it's an ACL ... 6-8 months ... BUT if it's an ACL & LCL, the recovery time could be 9-12 months or more.

So let's say it is best case scenario - 9 months without any issues .... that puts him at mid-october. You going to rush him out on the field, and risk testing that maybe healed-maybe not fully healed double ligament reconstruction?

The more likely scenario is the mid point of 10-10.5 months, and late November, early December.

Let's be realistic ... if it is indeed an ACL & LCL there's no chance of full recovery in 8 months. It's a compound reconstruction, and 2013 is not likely to see RG3 on the field.

RayNAustin wrote:That's a load of manure, or another miscommunication. Listening to another Surgeon today explaining that if it is only an LCL reconstruction, his recovery could be 4-6 months ... if it's an ACL ... 6-8 months ... BUT if it's an ACL & LCL, the recovery time could be 9-12 months or more.

So let's say it is best case scenario - 9 months without any issues .... that puts him at mid-october. You going to rush him out on the field, and risk testing that maybe healed-maybe not fully healed double ligament reconstruction?

The more likely scenario is the mid point of 10-10.5 months, and late November, early December.

Let's be realistic ... if it is indeed an ACL & LCL there's no chance of full recovery in 8 months. It's a compound reconstruction, and 2013 is not likely to see RG3 on the field.

So be it if that's truly what it takes. I believe we'll see a more dynamic team with or without him in 2013. I'd rather see improvements on the defense and o-line while waiting for RG3 in 2014.

Cousins can fill in well and could excel depending on how much he grows in the post season. I'd be all over him if I were on staff...groom him to greatness. He has the arm and accuracy.

Not sure if we will be a "super bowl team" in 2013 without RG3, but rather just as good as we did this season.

RayNAustin wrote:That's a load of manure, or another miscommunication. Listening to another Surgeon today explaining that if it is only an LCL reconstruction, his recovery could be 4-6 months ... if it's an ACL ... 6-8 months ... BUT if it's an ACL & LCL, the recovery time could be 9-12 months or more.

So let's say it is best case scenario - 9 months without any issues .... that puts him at mid-october. You going to rush him out on the field, and risk testing that maybe healed-maybe not fully healed double ligament reconstruction?

The more likely scenario is the mid point of 10-10.5 months, and late November, early December.

Let's be realistic ... if it is indeed an ACL & LCL there's no chance of full recovery in 8 months. It's a compound reconstruction, and 2013 is not likely to see RG3 on the field.

You may be an intelligent guy, I don't know. But, I'll go with the Dr. over what you think. Mortensen came on ESPN and said that he spoke to Dr. Andrews on this.

The ACL damage is a tear to the patella graft that the person who performed his 2009 surgery put in. Doctors know what they're doing, and don't throw around these timetables for nothing. I'll go with the source.

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III will undergo total reconstructive surgery of his right knee early Wednesday morning to repair torn anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments but he is expected to be ready for the opener of the 2013 NFL regular season, according to team sources familiar with the determination made by orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews.

The torn ACL was diagnosed late Tuesday as a complete tear of the patella graft that was used to repair Griffin's torn ACL suffered at Baylor in 2009. A team source said Dr. Andrews likely will use a patella graft from Griffin's left knee to repair the most recent tear.

Griffin's recovery is projected at six-to-eight months, barring any setbacks, sources said. The rehabilitation plan primarily will focus on strengthening Griffin's quadriceps to help protect and help stabilize the knee, according to sources. The reconstruction of the LCL is considered a complication but sources said Dr. Andrews informed the Redskins it should rehab well during the same six-to-eight month time frame as the ACL injury.

Under this projected time frame of surgery, recovery and rehab, Griffin should be able to participate at some level during training camp in August and be ready to open the season in September, according to the sources.

RayNAustin wrote:That's a load of manure, or another miscommunication. Listening to another Surgeon today explaining that if it is only an LCL reconstruction, his recovery could be 4-6 months ... if it's an ACL ... 6-8 months ... BUT if it's an ACL & LCL, the recovery time could be 9-12 months or more.

So let's say it is best case scenario - 9 months without any issues .... that puts him at mid-october. You going to rush him out on the field, and risk testing that maybe healed-maybe not fully healed double ligament reconstruction?

The more likely scenario is the mid point of 10-10.5 months, and late November, early December.

Let's be realistic ... if it is indeed an ACL & LCL there's no chance of full recovery in 8 months. It's a compound reconstruction, and 2013 is not likely to see RG3 on the field.

You may be an intelligent guy, I don't know. But, I'll go with the Dr. on this one. Mortensen came on ESPN and said that he spoke to Dr. Andrews on this.

The ACL damage is a tear to the patella graft that the person who performed his 2009 surgery put in. Doctors know what they're doing, and don't throw around these timetables for nothing. I'll go with the source.

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III will undergo total reconstructive surgery of his right knee early Wednesday morning to repair torn anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments but he is expected to be ready for the opener of the 2013 NFL regular season, according to team sources familiar with the determination made by orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews.

The torn ACL was diagnosed late Tuesday as a complete tear of the patella graft that was used to repair Griffin's torn ACL suffered at Baylor in 2009. A team source said Dr. Andrews likely will use a patella graft from Griffin's left knee to repair the most recent tear.

Griffin's recovery is projected at six-to-eight months, barring any setbacks, sources said. The rehabilitation plan primarily will focus on strengthening Griffin's quadriceps to help protect and help stabilize the knee, according to sources. The reconstruction of the LCL is considered a complication but sources said Dr. Andrews informed the Redskins it should rehab well during the same six-to-eight month time frame as the ACL injury.

Under this projected time frame of surgery, recovery and rehab, Griffin should be able to participate at some level during training camp in August and be ready to open the season in September, according to the sources.

RayNAustin wrote:That's a load of manure, or another miscommunication. Listening to another Surgeon today explaining that if it is only an LCL reconstruction, his recovery could be 4-6 months ... if it's an ACL ... 6-8 months ... BUT if it's an ACL & LCL, the recovery time could be 9-12 months or more.

So let's say it is best case scenario - 9 months without any issues .... that puts him at mid-october. You going to rush him out on the field, and risk testing that maybe healed-maybe not fully healed double ligament reconstruction?

The more likely scenario is the mid point of 10-10.5 months, and late November, early December.

Let's be realistic ... if it is indeed an ACL & LCL there's no chance of full recovery in 8 months. It's a compound reconstruction, and 2013 is not likely to see RG3 on the field.

So be it if that's truly what it takes. I believe we'll see a more dynamic team with or without him in 2013. I'd rather see improvements on the defense and o-line while waiting for RG3 in 2014.

Cousins can fill in well and could excel depending on how much he grows in the post season. I'd be all over him if I were on staff...groom him to greatness. He has the arm and accuracy.

Not sure if we will be a "super bowl team" in 2013 without RG3, but rather just as good as we did this season.

Hey, there's nothing wrong with optimism .... but the theme here is rather disturbing. There is no way to spin this disaster into a positive, unless you're in denial. These knuckle heads crashed the Franchise's biggest and most important and most remarkable acquisition in the past 20 years or more, and it is a HUGE SETBACK for RG3 and the Redskins.

This is Shanahan's 4th QB in three years, and you want to put Cousins in his hands?

RayNAustin wrote:That's a load of manure, or another miscommunication. Listening to another Surgeon today explaining that if it is only an LCL reconstruction, his recovery could be 4-6 months ... if it's an ACL ... 6-8 months ... BUT if it's an ACL & LCL, the recovery time could be 9-12 months or more.

So let's say it is best case scenario - 9 months without any issues .... that puts him at mid-october. You going to rush him out on the field, and risk testing that maybe healed-maybe not fully healed double ligament reconstruction?

The more likely scenario is the mid point of 10-10.5 months, and late November, early December.

Let's be realistic ... if it is indeed an ACL & LCL there's no chance of full recovery in 8 months. It's a compound reconstruction, and 2013 is not likely to see RG3 on the field.

So be it if that's truly what it takes. I believe we'll see a more dynamic team with or without him in 2013. I'd rather see improvements on the defense and o-line while waiting for RG3 in 2014.

Cousins can fill in well and could excel depending on how much he grows in the post season. I'd be all over him if I were on staff...groom him to greatness. He has the arm and accuracy.

Not sure if we will be a "super bowl team" in 2013 without RG3, but rather just as good as we did this season.

Hey, there's nothing wrong with optimism .... but the theme here is rather disturbing. There is no way to spin this disaster into a positive, unless you're in denial. These knuckle heads crashed the Franchise's biggest and most important and most remarkable acquisition in the past 20 years or more, and it is a HUGE SETBACK for RG3 and the Redskins.

This is Shanahan's 4th QB in three years, and you want to put Cousins in his hands?

You all are plum crazy.

Way too much doom & gloom Ray. What do you want this team to do? Fire everyone and sit RGIII in a body cast for a year? Science, technology & medicine constantly evolve. If Dr. Andrews--a 72 Year Old-legend in his field says RGIII should be recovered and ready in 8 months, then that's what it is. He's the best and he's the one whose seen the MRI's, examined him, and is doing the surgery.

Some person who has limited info calling into a show can't accurately diagnose anything.

RayNAustin wrote:That's a load of manure, or another miscommunication. Listening to another Surgeon today explaining that if it is only an LCL reconstruction, his recovery could be 4-6 months ... if it's an ACL ... 6-8 months ... BUT if it's an ACL & LCL, the recovery time could be 9-12 months or more.

So let's say it is best case scenario - 9 months without any issues .... that puts him at mid-october. You going to rush him out on the field, and risk testing that maybe healed-maybe not fully healed double ligament reconstruction?

The more likely scenario is the mid point of 10-10.5 months, and late November, early December.

Let's be realistic ... if it is indeed an ACL & LCL there's no chance of full recovery in 8 months. It's a compound reconstruction, and 2013 is not likely to see RG3 on the field.

You may be an intelligent guy, I don't know. But, I'll go with the Dr. on this one. Mortensen came on ESPN and said that he spoke to Dr. Andrews on this.

The ACL damage is a tear to the patella graft that the person who performed his 2009 surgery put in. Doctors know what they're doing, and don't throw around these timetables for nothing. I'll go with the source.

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III will undergo total reconstructive surgery of his right knee early Wednesday morning to repair torn anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments but he is expected to be ready for the opener of the 2013 NFL regular season, according to team sources familiar with the determination made by orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews.

The torn ACL was diagnosed late Tuesday as a complete tear of the patella graft that was used to repair Griffin's torn ACL suffered at Baylor in 2009. A team source said Dr. Andrews likely will use a patella graft from Griffin's left knee to repair the most recent tear.

Griffin's recovery is projected at six-to-eight months, barring any setbacks, sources said. The rehabilitation plan primarily will focus on strengthening Griffin's quadriceps to help protect and help stabilize the knee, according to sources. The reconstruction of the LCL is considered a complication but sources said Dr. Andrews informed the Redskins it should rehab well during the same six-to-eight month time frame as the ACL injury.

Under this projected time frame of surgery, recovery and rehab, Griffin should be able to participate at some level during training camp in August and be ready to open the season in September, according to the sources.

Dr. Andrews has already changed his story once in an effort to rehabilitate Mike Shanahan's image ... so I wouldn't dismiss the possibility of him saying 6-8 months now, in order to paint the prettiest picture possible, even if he might be anticipating longer. What risk is it for him to suggest 6-8 months rather than 10-12 months? This type of rehab and recovery is unique to the individual, and their body's ability to heal, so at the 8 month mark, they re-evaluate and say he's close, but a little ways away still. The deal is to take the heat off this very contentious and volatile situation, and that's what is going on here, if it is both the ACL and LCL that require reconstruction.

RayNAustin wrote:That's a load of manure, or another miscommunication. Listening to another Surgeon today explaining that if it is only an LCL reconstruction, his recovery could be 4-6 months ... if it's an ACL ... 6-8 months ... BUT if it's an ACL & LCL, the recovery time could be 9-12 months or more.

So let's say it is best case scenario - 9 months without any issues .... that puts him at mid-october. You going to rush him out on the field, and risk testing that maybe healed-maybe not fully healed double ligament reconstruction?

The more likely scenario is the mid point of 10-10.5 months, and late November, early December.

Let's be realistic ... if it is indeed an ACL & LCL there's no chance of full recovery in 8 months. It's a compound reconstruction, and 2013 is not likely to see RG3 on the field.

You may be an intelligent guy, I don't know. But, I'll go with the Dr. on this one. Mortensen came on ESPN and said that he spoke to Dr. Andrews on this.

The ACL damage is a tear to the patella graft that the person who performed his 2009 surgery put in. Doctors know what they're doing, and don't throw around these timetables for nothing. I'll go with the source.

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III will undergo total reconstructive surgery of his right knee early Wednesday morning to repair torn anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments but he is expected to be ready for the opener of the 2013 NFL regular season, according to team sources familiar with the determination made by orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews.

The torn ACL was diagnosed late Tuesday as a complete tear of the patella graft that was used to repair Griffin's torn ACL suffered at Baylor in 2009. A team source said Dr. Andrews likely will use a patella graft from Griffin's left knee to repair the most recent tear.

Griffin's recovery is projected at six-to-eight months, barring any setbacks, sources said. The rehabilitation plan primarily will focus on strengthening Griffin's quadriceps to help protect and help stabilize the knee, according to sources. The reconstruction of the LCL is considered a complication but sources said Dr. Andrews informed the Redskins it should rehab well during the same six-to-eight month time frame as the ACL injury.

Under this projected time frame of surgery, recovery and rehab, Griffin should be able to participate at some level during training camp in August and be ready to open the season in September, according to the sources.

Dr. Andrews has already changed his story once in an effort to rehabilitate Mike Shanahan's image ... so I wouldn't dismiss the possibility of him saying 6-8 months now, in order to paint the prettiest picture possible, even if he might be anticipating longer. What risk is it for him to suggest 6-8 months rather than 10-12 months? This type of rehab and recovery is unique to the individual, and their body's ability to heal, so at the 8 month mark, they re-evaluate and say he's close, but a little ways away still. The deal is to take the heat off this very contentious and volatile situation, and that's what is going on here, if it is both the ACL and LCL that require reconstruction.

When you are an athlete with unlimited income that can rehab all day everyday in the off season and your knee is structurally sound with just ligament tears and no cartilage damage like RG3 then the time table can be a lot less than the normal individual like us. Also the 6-8 months is baring no setbacks which is huge in itself. Ronald Powell of the Florida Gators tore his ACL in spring ball and was already healed up and ready to go at 6 months when he took a weird step on a sidewalk and reaggravated it. So Peterson isn't the only athlete who can make it back very quickly if an average college athlete can make back within 6 months then RG3 can be back and better than ever.

RayNAustin wrote:That's a load of manure, or another miscommunication. Listening to another Surgeon today explaining that if it is only an LCL reconstruction, his recovery could be 4-6 months ... if it's an ACL ... 6-8 months ... BUT if it's an ACL & LCL, the recovery time could be 9-12 months or more.

So let's say it is best case scenario - 9 months without any issues .... that puts him at mid-october. You going to rush him out on the field, and risk testing that maybe healed-maybe not fully healed double ligament reconstruction?

The more likely scenario is the mid point of 10-10.5 months, and late November, early December.

Let's be realistic ... if it is indeed an ACL & LCL there's no chance of full recovery in 8 months. It's a compound reconstruction, and 2013 is not likely to see RG3 on the field.

You may be an intelligent guy, I don't know. But, I'll go with the Dr. on this one. Mortensen came on ESPN and said that he spoke to Dr. Andrews on this.

The ACL damage is a tear to the patella graft that the person who performed his 2009 surgery put in. Doctors know what they're doing, and don't throw around these timetables for nothing. I'll go with the source.

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III will undergo total reconstructive surgery of his right knee early Wednesday morning to repair torn anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments but he is expected to be ready for the opener of the 2013 NFL regular season, according to team sources familiar with the determination made by orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews.

The torn ACL was diagnosed late Tuesday as a complete tear of the patella graft that was used to repair Griffin's torn ACL suffered at Baylor in 2009. A team source said Dr. Andrews likely will use a patella graft from Griffin's left knee to repair the most recent tear.

Griffin's recovery is projected at six-to-eight months, barring any setbacks, sources said. The rehabilitation plan primarily will focus on strengthening Griffin's quadriceps to help protect and help stabilize the knee, according to sources. The reconstruction of the LCL is considered a complication but sources said Dr. Andrews informed the Redskins it should rehab well during the same six-to-eight month time frame as the ACL injury.

Under this projected time frame of surgery, recovery and rehab, Griffin should be able to participate at some level during training camp in August and be ready to open the season in September, according to the sources.

Dr. Andrews has already changed his story once in an effort to rehabilitate Mike Shanahan's image ... so I wouldn't dismiss the possibility of him saying 6-8 months now, in order to paint the prettiest picture possible, even if he might be anticipating longer. What risk is it for him to suggest 6-8 months rather than 10-12 months? This type of rehab and recovery is unique to the individual, and their body's ability to heal, so at the 8 month mark, they re-evaluate and say he's close, but a little ways away still. The deal is to take the heat off this very contentious and volatile situation, and that's what is going on here, if it is both the ACL and LCL that require reconstruction.

This Dr has an incredible reputation. He's not going to sugar coat RG3's recovery time because if it doesn't happen within his estimate (even with the phrase "barring any setbacks"), his credibility is damaged. Its his credibility that keeps injured superstars coming to him. To jeopardize that would be career suicide.

Hmmm...we have experts who haven't seen the scans, but know about this type of injury. And we have our expert, who has seen the scans, will be performing the surgery, and is closest to the whole thing.

Ordinarily, I'd obviously argue that any information coming from the latter is the best information. But in recent weeks, my trust in the information/stories that come from the official Redskins sources has "gone wobbly".

I'm not expecting to see RGIII until 2014. And anything before that would be a bonus. At the very least, I hope that Dan Snyder takes any decisions regarding RGIII's return out of Shanahan's hands, and leaves it completely to the doctors.

Great article and video (mentioned numerous times in this thread, but felt it worthy of being highlighted again). They made an excellent point of saying that the "ACL" tear is actually a synthetic ACL tear. Faster recovery time.

In the link above, they're saying that Dr. Andrews is claiming a 6 month turn around with an extra two months thrown in to play it safe; hence 6-8 months.

Having spent the last hour reading everything I can find, and watching every video (including the one linked above), it does seem that the balance of most prognoses is for RGIII to be back for at least the majority of 2013. I still think we have some information gaps here though, and it's too early to be sure.

I'm sticking with my position of hoping for the best, and expecting the worst. For now.

Mort is reporting a 6-8 month recovery! Dr. Andrews believes that he should be able to return before the start of next season! My birthday was yesterday and this is a great present, if he can rehab and come back healthy in July-August!